DeJa Vu

Did Jeremiah Prophesy Against America?

The short answer to the question is no, at least not directly. However, reading just the second chapter of the Book of Jeremiah reveals some startling parallels between Israel, Judah and the United States of America. More on that in a moment.

Who was Jeremiah and what could this ancient prophet possibly have to do with our nation? Jeremiah is considered to be one of the “major” prophets. For the most part this means his recorded prophecies are relatively voluminous, rather than an indication of his “importance”. He was called out as a prophet during the thirteenth year of King Josiah and was still prophesying after the conquest and destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar (Israel’s fall to Babylon). While our nation did not exist until long after all of these events, some of his words are worth taking to heart. Just in this one chapter, some passages are enough to send chills down your spine.

Know this first: Jeremiah’s ministry and prophecies were specifically directed towards Israel and Judah (at this time God’s people were split into two kingdoms). So how could any of these words possibly relate to our nation today? First, consider this passage in Romans:

Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

While certain scriptures may not be directed specifically to Christians today, we can still learn from them because God has not changed, neither has man’s nature. Jesus himself referred to historical events on many occasions and compared them to his present. Others in New Testament scriptures did likewise, so this is not a new concept. That said, the words of Jeremiah describe certain factors in this nation here and now, one must wonder if he was not also foretelling today’s events! Is this possible? Most certainly. That said, unless God Himself makes it clear we are to take Jeremiah’s words as directed to us, we are better off simply noting the parallels.

First up is the timing of Jeremiah’s life and prophecies. As I mentioned above, this prophet lived through the fall of Israel. It was essentially their “end times”, at least for that nation. What brought this about? Israel and Judah had turned away from God.

Jeremiah 2:11 Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit.

Instead of worshiping the One True God who rescued them from Egypt, established their nation and made them strong and fearful, they turned to other gods. Our nation was founded by godly Christian men. Our ancestor's came to this continent to escape persecution and seek true freedom to worship the One True God. To this end God wrought a special work – He established this nation, a Constitutional Republic that was not ruled by a king but self-ruled as sovereign citizens. He then empowered our forefathers to defeat the most fearsome military power on earth. Like the Hebrews, He brought us out of oppression and set us up in a land of freedom. We prospered. But that’s not all…

Jeremiah 2:13 For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.

Again the parallel is startling. We have removed God from our schools, from our courtrooms, and from nearly every government entity. Worse, God is no longer welcome in much of our society. Many actively seek to remove Christianity from society entirely.

John 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

The “broken cisterns” we have hewed out include installing government in place of God, as well as a plethora of other false gods. Like the Hebrews, we have turned away from the One True God who established our nation and blessed it so we could become a beacon unto the world. While some may point to our military strength as being the source of our power, they are mistaken. Our true power is derived from the God-given liberties guaranteed in our founding document. People from every corner of the world has flocked to our nation to enjoy our freedom and for the economic opportunities they elicited.

Jeremiah 2:7 And I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof; but when ye entered, ye defiled my land, and made mine heritage an abomination.

Is this not exactly what we have done in this nation? Ungodliness abounds. It is ubiquitous, so much so that we have taken to exporting our worst worldwide. We’ve allowed those we selected to run our nation’s business to use our military might to promote death and destruction all over the world. Yes, we’ve done good at times but this good does not excuse the evil.

Jeremiah 2:23 How canst thou say, I am not polluted, I have not gone after Baalim?

How has our nation “gone after Baalim” (Baal)? How can we count the ways? Let’s start with pedophilia. A few short years ago, the idea that pedophiles would demand “their place in society” was laughed at. No way! And yet today we see increasing calls for normalizing pedophiles. Parents defend taking their children to Drag Queen “story hours” and Drag shows. Government officials are promoting and advocating the sexualization of children, even to the point of encouraging preschool children and younger to “change” their sex. Pornography in school libraries is defended.

God is denied. The very concept of good and evil is discarded. Lawlessness not only abounds but crime is exalted, even encouraged as long as it is committed by a favored class. Corruption is rampant everywhere. Everywhere, godly conduct is discouraged while the opposite is glorified. Instead of rejoicing when a woman becomes pregnant with her husband’s child, shredding the unborn from the womb is now considered a badge of honor.

Jeremiah 2:34 Also in thy skirts is found the blood of the souls of the poor innocents...

Jeremiah surely knew nothing of abortions, yet the words above sound eerily like how one might be described today.

While one might look to one detail or another and find correlations between Jeremiah’s words of yesterday and those things surrounding us today, let us not try to wrap ourselves in specifics. To put it bluntly, doing so is like trying to fit a round peg in a hexagonal hole. It won’t ever fit as intended. This doesn’t mean we cannot learn from them.

God blessed the nation of Israel and he blessed us. He brought our founders to a plentiful country as He did the Hebrews. We, too, have defiled our land and turned from Him. We are at the point where we could lose our nation as the Hebrews lost theirs. There is one and only one way to save our land, and that is to turn to God and ask for deliverance.

2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Can this happen? Possibly. I cannot say for sure. What will surely happen is our nation will fall if we continue on as we are going. Already the fabric of our nation is coming apart at the seams. Those who deny God have seized power in every corner. Those who remain faithful become fewer every day.

As I stated in my last post, each one of us is responsible for our own stand. We cannot afford to wait for our brothers and sisters in Christ to step up. WE must do whatever we can ourselves without regard for what anyone else does or does not do. In future posts, I’ll delve more into this aspect.